Village of Avoca
PO Box 694, 609 House Street
Avoca, NE 68307
SUMMARY OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING
VILLAGE OF AVOCA BOARD OF TRUSTEES – AVOCA, NE 68307
Date: Monday, November 8, 2021
Present: Ehmke, Lehn, Kirchhoff, Moses and Clerk, Kirchhoff
Absent: Clark Guest: McKenzie, Sorenson, Watson
Four board members, three guests and Clerk were present and one member absent. Attendance was noted by the Clerk and the Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the meeting. The meeting was brought to order at 6:00 pm by the Chairman and reminded all in attendance of the Open Meetings Act posted on the wall.
The Minutes of the October 11, 2021, were submitted for approval. A motion was made to approve the minutes followed by a second. Upon roll call of Trustees: Clark – absent; Ehmke – yea; Kirchhoff – yea; Lehn – yea; Moses – yea
The Treasurer’s Report for approval. A motion was made and seconded to approve the report. Upon roll call of Trustees: Clark – absent; Ehmke – yea; Kirchhoff – yea; Lehn – yea; Moses – yea
Guest/Reports:
McKenzie discussed several concerns with the Board. The farmers seem to be driving slower on Garfield but she still has concerns regarding the children and the 4-wheelers (must be 16 to be driving on the streets). Also, there is a deep ditch that needs to be marked as vehicles go off the road and get stuck in her yard. This discussion continued with the past problem of getting traffic to slow down and speed bumps. It was suggested that people keep track and call the sheriff office when they see drivers speeding and report it.
Robert Sorenson was present to introduce himself to the Board as he is running for Sheriff of Cass County. He has 18 years of experience with Cass County/Plattsmouth Police Departments.
Fire department was not present.
Library Board was not present but sent a letter. If anyone has questions, they are to contact Nancy Bose at 402-275-3466.
Keene submitted a written maintenance report to the Board. The Village received appositive coliform sample from NHHS last month. This is an indication a problem may exist in the water system and repeat samples were taken. He is working with Rural Water to clear the problem. Work continues to move forward and progress has been made with better upgrades to the waste water facility.
Old Business:
Properties: No new information has been received regarding any of the properties. The Clerk will follow up with the attorney.
Utility Bills – There were 11 shut off notices mailed, 4 1/2 remains unpaid. Two leaks were noted on reading meters. One is still shut off and two need to be shut off.
Pending work to be done:
Tractor Shed work will be done within next few weeks.
Parking lines – Rich will try to get this fixed in the next week.
New Business:
USDA Audit complete – needed signature of chairman.
Street:
2022 Engineer Appointment A motion was made by Kirchhoff to appoint JEO Consulting Group, INC. as the Village Engineer for 2022. The motion was seconded by Lehn. Upon roll call of Trustees: Clark – absent; Ehmke – yea; Kirchhoff – yea; Lehn – yea; Moses – yea
2022 Street Superintendent Re-Appointment. A motion was made by Kirchhoff to re-appoint Evan B Wickersham as the Street Superintendent for 2022. The motion was seconded by Lehn. Upon roll call of Trustees: Clark – absent; Ehmke – yea; Kirchhoff – yea; Lehn – yea; Moses – yea
Complaints received: A complaint was received regarding tires, which could be a problem with mosquitos and a fire hazard as well as other junk accumulating. Also, complaints have been made regarding the parking of trucks on House Street making it difficult for the flow of traffic. Letters will be sent.
Clerk Questions or Correspondence:
Education certification needs to be submitted to the state.
Reminder that the recycle container is for the use of anyone in Cass County, not limited to only Avoca residents.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be arriving in Avoca for a visit on Saturday, December 18. Soup will be served by the Board of Trustees as well as a variety of goodies to eat and each child will receive a goodie bag from Santa.
The furnace is not working in the village office. McKenzie replaced the filter in the one.
Trustee Reports:
Water/Clark: Absent.
Sewer/Kirchhoff: Nothing to report.
Finance/Lehn: Nothing to report.
Parks/Moses: Nothing to report. Restrooms have been closed up.
Street/Ehmke: Nothing to report.
Discussion of bills to be paid for November: A motion was made and seconded to approve payment for Ehmke. Upon a roll call vote of Trustees: Clark – absent; Ehmke- abstain; Kirchhoff – yea; Lehn – yea; Moses – yea. A motion was made and seconded to approve payment for Moses. Upon a roll call vote of Trustees: Clark – absent; Ehmke- yea; Kirchhoff – yea; Lehn – yea; Moses – abstain. A motion was made and seconded to approve payment for Lehn. Upon a roll call vote of Trustees: Clark – absent; Ehmke – yea; Kirchhoff – yea; Lehn – abstain; Moses – yea. A motion was made and seconded to approve payment for the automatic bills. Upon a roll call vote of Trustees: Clark – absent; Ehmke- yea; Kirchhoff – yea; Lehn – yea; Moses – yea. A motion was made and seconded to approve the payment of the remaining bills for November. Upon a roll call vote of Trustees: Clark – absent; Ehmke- yea; Kirchhoff – yea; Lehn – yea; Moses – yea.
The following bills were approved for payment:
General: Kirchhoff - $719.13; Windstream Nebraska - $124.25; Lincoln Journal Star - $82.32; Intuit - $8.44; Office Depot - $2.00; Postmaster - $58; School District #27 - $300; Ball insurance - $1092.00; Moses - $161.61; Meeske Hardware - $28.79; Lehn - $39.79
Sewer: Keene - $1249.12; Kirchhoff - $129.29; Midwest Laboratories - $180.05; Postmaster - $58; Tri-State Pumping LLC - $367.88; USABlue Book - $64.82; Sewer Reserve - $100
Water Account: Keene - $821.19; Kirchhoff - $129.29; Sewer Account - $3116.77; Rural Water Dist #3 - $1542.50; NE Department of Revenue - $190.11; NE Public Health Environmental Lab - $15; Weeping Water Express Lane - $1.69; Water Loan Repay - $2800.00; Water Reserve - $350.00
Street Account: Ehmke - $316.76; AKRS - $453.12; Meeske Auto Parts - $119.97
Community Improvement: Papillion Sanitation - $299.40
KENO: JRB Enterprises LLC - $1500
Automatic Payments: Black Hills Energy - $31.50
OPPD – General - $279.71; Water - $33.58; Sewer - $471.72; Street - $668.65
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote of Trustees: Clark – absent; Ehmke- yea; Kirchhoff – yea; Lehn – yea; Moses – yea. The meeting was adjourned by Chairman at 7:44 pm. The next meeting of the Avoca Village Board will be held on Monday, December 13, 2021, at 6:00 pm at the Village office at 609 House Street. Minutes are submitted by Marilyn K01irchhoff, Village Clerk/Treasurer.